Game 1 (3/3) vs. Brewers

Tonight's game was played on 3/3 and ended in a 3-3 tie. But the Cubs showed, grit, determination and toughness and exhibited the three characteristics we have been working on in practice: Energy, Effort and Focus.

The Energy Award tonight goes to Kaden, who pitched two solid innings, got a hit, stole 2 bases and scored a run, made a really heads-up play to get a lead runner on a 3-6 putout from first to shortstop and made a diving game-saving tag to get the last out at home from his catcher's position to secure the tie.

The Effort award tonight goes to Sean for his legging out a double in the first inning and scoring, his four innings behind the plate (including a nice tag out at home and numerous nice stops) and his coming in to close out the game at pitcher and to Anon for his single to right in the first inning and his walk in the fourth inning. which, with his speed on the bases, enabled him to come all the way around to score our third (and as it turns out game tying run).

The Focus award is shared by Brandon for his heads-up backing up of a play from right field, knowing where he had to be and getting there in a hurry and Matt who, in his very first at bat in a baseball game, connected and fired like a rocket down to first base.

I'm going to add another award, and that is the toughness award, and it goes to Matthew B. and Zach who each "wore one" for the team, getting hit by a pitch. Matthew played exceptionally at first base and Zach saw a lot of action in centerfield, running down some tough chances.

On the mound, the combination of Kaden, Michael and Sean held the opposition to 3 runs in 6 innings. Kaden got us off to a great start, then Michael reitred 10 of the first 12 batters he faced, and Sean came in to preserve the tie. Nice game on the mound.

In the field, by my count, we recorded 13 defensive putouts (out of a possible 18). That is one of the highest percentages you will ever see in a youth baseball game and tells the story of how the defense played. Nice plays all around, including a nice catch by Wyatt at second for a 1-4 forceout, a fine play at second by Kanade, two very nice plays at shortstop, one by Mario in the first and one by Michael in the second, and a number of good plays by Matthew and Kaden at first base.

At the plate, Sean had his leadoff double, Kaden, Anon, and Mario all had hits and Michael had an RBI groundout.

Again, all in all a fine first game of the season by both teams. Thanks very much to Kaden's dad David for filling in for two innings for our late umpire and for David, Jeff S. and Craig B. for coaching, and for Celestine M. and Kathy B. for scorekeeping and pitchcounting. And in case anyone wonders why some of the Cubs players might have kissed their sisters on the cheek tonight, I game them a homework assignment of finding out whether a tie really is like "kissing your sister."